Immigration

Butzel Long is recognized as the premier international law firm in Michigan. The skilled team of attorneys in Butzel Longs Immigration Practice provides domestic and foreign-based clients with exceptional representation, multi-disciplinary support and creative problem solving to address a wide range of immigration issues, whether localized or on a global scale. In the 2011-2016 Best Law Firms report by U.S. News Media Group, the publisher of U.S. News & World Report, and Best Lawyers, Butzel Long was nationally ranked in Immigration Law and nationally recognized in Chambers USA.

Our diverse team is marked by resourcefulness and accessibility, has established relationships with members of the local and international immigration community and is dedicated to staying abreast of the latest developments in immigration law and practice. Our clients are as diverse as the issues we handle, including major corporations, small businesses, individuals and families based throughout the United States and the world.

Butzel Long's Immigration Practice provides legal services in the areas of nonimmigrant and immigrant visas, U.S. permanent residence, citizenship, global migration, and employer compliance and worksite enforcement. Butzel Long partners with clients to deliver efficient and timely personalized services. We continuously review our processes and technology to add value and improve efficiency.

The Immigration Practice Group works closely with attorneys from the Firm's other practice areas where immigration issues intersect, such as Corporate, Tax, and Labor & Employment, to deliver prompt, specialized counsel on critical issues that impact our clients businesses.

Experience

Obtained all types of visas for Mexico, including tourist, business, technical, Board members, pre-approved work permits, change of status, permanent resident, Exit and Re-Entry permits, and renewals
Represented clients in complex naturalization matters including restoration of U.S. citizenship, appeals for denied naturalization applications, and evaluate strategies for overcoming grounds of ineligibility.
Represented clients in obtaining visas at various US Embassies and Consulates abroad
Conducted in-house training on I-9 form compliance and retention, including electronic completion and storage of I-9 forms
Obtained permanent resident status pursuant to registry provisions based on residence in U.S. since January 1972
Butzel Long shareholder is an Honorary Consul to the UK
Represented employers during investigations conducted by Immigration and Customs Enforcement or Department of Labor regarding employment verification issues.
Provided preventative counseling on sending foreign expatriates to Mexico. Including immigration regulations, as well as labor and tax implication and employer sanctions
Conducted internal audits of I-9 forms for clients
Obtained re-entry permits to maintain permanent residence status in the United States for individuals transferred abroad
Analyzed effect of corporate changes, including mergers and acquisitions, on foreign national’s immigration status.
Advised employers regarding maintenance of employer/employee relationship when foreign national is placed offsite
Coordinated the establishment of foreign corporate entities and assistance with multi jurisdictional tax issues
Prepared J-1 waivers of 2 year foreign residency requirement based on no-objection letters, interested government agencies, hardship and other grounds
Provided preventative counseling on Department of Homeland Security and Department of Labor investigations and employer sanctions.
Represented clients in obtaining Mexican visas at various Mexican Embassies and Consulates abroad
Consulted with clients regarding special permanent resident card interviews
Preparation of J-1 Exchange Visitor and H-3 Trainee applications and petitions for employees of foreign companies with U.S. facilities
Coordinated the establishment of foreign corporate entities in Mexico, obtaining all necessary permits to carry out business and advise on all business related legal areas, in consistency with multi jurisdictional implications
Analyzed eligibility for naturalization through parents or grandparents and prepare necessary documentation
Represented employers during investigations conducted by USICE and USDOL regarding employment verification issues
Represented clients with applications of waiver of inadmissibility due to past legal history or immigration history.
Obtained re-entry permit to maintain permanent residency for individuals transferred overseas
Represented employers in investigations conducted by the USDOL concerning H-1B Labor Condition Application public access file including benching and wage and hour issues.
Obtained removal of conditions on permanent residency
Represented clients seeking LPR status based on Cuban Adjustment Act
Obtained approval of Immigration Petition for Alien of Extraordinary Ability for various professionals including engineers, scientists, corporate executives, professional athletes, entertainers, coaches, and trainers.
Represented employers in USCIS administrative site visit
Assisted family members in obtaining appropriate fianc
Represented clients at Port of Entry to process admission to US under NAFTA
Conducted in-house training on all areas related to doing business in Mexico
Assisted with preservation of residency for naturalization purposes for individuals transferred overseas
Conducted in-house training regarding preparing and maintaining H-1B public access files and Labor Certification Applications
Obtained work visas in other countries such as Brazil, Germany, Belgium, Austria, etc.
Assisted employers in obtaining appropriate nonimmigrant classification (TN, H-1B, H-3, L-1A, L-1B, O-1, E-1/E-2, P) and immigrant classification (EB-1, EB-2, EB-3 and EB-5).
Managed multi-country projects and obtained work authorizations in multiple jurisdictions for individuals of various nationalities.
Evaluated retention of dual citizenship for U.S. and other countries such as Germany, Italy, Australia, Canada, etc.
Obtained waivers of inadmissibility including waivers for entry into Canada for individuals who have DUIs/DWIs